Ley Way, Crathes Castle

The longest of three waymarked woodland walks in the parkland of Crathes Castle, taking in a variety of woodland as well as countryside views and passing the castle and famous gardens. There is a charge for parking.

Terrain

Waymarked paths, some narrow and rough underfoot, short steep sections.

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Crathes Castle is just east of Banchory off the A93. As well as the magnificent 16th century tower house and formal gardens brimming with summer flowering borders and ancient topiary, the parkland has a number of waymarked trails. The Ley Walk is the longest, taking in a variety of woodland and parkland. The estate also has a very good adventure playground (free) and cafe. There is a parking charge. Start the walk from the visitor entrance to the castle and take the main (widest) path on the right hand side of the grassy area in front as you stand with your back to the castle.

Stage 2

Almost immediately the path forks, take the right branch signed for Ley Walk - it has red waymarkers. Just before the trees turn left and head into the woodland soon branching right onto a narrower path and then heading up steps next to a large rock wall with trees growing out of it. Head straight across the driveway to the castle to enter Carolines Garden through a gate, staying on the main path to pass a bench and leave by a second gate and bear left.

Stage 3

At the driveway turn right and before a bench turn right onto a woodland path, keep an eye out for the markers as it meanders through fir trees to reach a track, turn right here. At a junction (note the specimen Japanese fir tree on the left) branch left and follow the waymarkers as the path winds through the trees. Eventually cross a surfaced lane to pass the adventure play area on the right and head along a track for a short distance before branching right on a waymarked path.

Stage 4

Another right turn leads along a track where you soon branch left at a fork onto a narrower path with a field on the right through the trees. The path soon plunges into the trees, keep on the main path, keeping to the right of a stream and then branching left down steps.

Stage 5

Follow the long stretch of boardwalk which elevates the path above the wet ground and provides a good spot to look for wood anemones and wood sorrel as well as the woodpeckers and the many smaller birds that live in this woodland. Soon turn left to cross a bridge over the Coy Burn and follow the path to another junction where you bear left (turning right is a shorter route back).

Stage 6

Another section of boardwalk passes alongside the water before the route heads back into denser woodland with a signed right turn at a fork at a large pine tree leading to views over the mill pond. Eventually cross a bridge over the pond outflow and pass the fish ladder which allows fish to pass through the barrier of the mill pond dam. At a fork keep right to follow the west side of the pond where there are benches and then head left up through the trees and cross the castle driveway and keep following the red markers as you cross a wider path into dense trees and then pass larger trees. Head down steps through birch trees and bear right at more open ground and then up steps and turn left onto a wider path and keep following the red waymarkers to pass the estate cemetery to finally emerge at the grassy area in front of the castle.